9 days
Easy
Ecological and economical trip from Helsinki to Lapland by train. On the way, you will stop for two days either in Kuopio or Paltamo in a special hotel with magnificent views as well as Kemi by the Gulf of Bothnia. Your end destination is the Pyhä-Luosto area in northeastern Lapland.
Destinations:
Helsinki offers a lot to do self-guided at the weekend, all museums are open on Saturday and Sunday and you can always find also cultural events from concerts to ice-hockey for example.
Kuopio is a small town by lake Kallavesi. This new hotel has been built right next to the lake offering great views over the ice as well as a wild skating route up to 12km.
Paltamo is located in northern Finland but not quite in Lapland yet. This hilltop hotel is unique and as you can imagine, the landscape opening up from your window is amazing. A long snowshoeing trip will take you to the winter forest.
Kemi is a small industrial town located by the Gulf of Bothnia best known for its snow gallery and icebreaker cruises. We are taking you to see the snow sculptures but also on a sleigh ride over the ice to enjoy campfire and observe the northern lights. You will stay at a charming hotel right at the railway station, so it will be easy to sontinue by early morning train to Kemijärvi and by bus further to Pyhä.
Pyhä-Luosto National Park is dominated by two Arctic hills Pyhä and Luosto. Pyhä is an active ski village with a high variety of activities to choose from. Luosto is a smaller, less illuminated village. The idea is to offer the best possible circumstances for northern lights watching - one night in igloo accommodation and two nights in Luosto. There is even a trail around a small pond you can take on your own and look at the northern sky.
Activities:
* Carbon footprint calculation process is found here.
✔ Accommodation: 2 nights in a standard hotel room in Helsinki, 2 nights in a suite in Kuopio OR Paltamo, 1 night in a boutique hotel in Kemi, 1 night in a snow or glass igloo in Pyhä and 2 nights in a standard hotel room in Luosto
✔ Meals: 8xbreakfast, 4xdinner
✔ Transfers: train from Helsinki to Kuopio/Paltamo, from Kuopio/Paltamo to Kemi, from Kemi to Kemijärvi, bus from Kemijärvi to Pyhä and local transfer to the hotel and from hotel to Luosto, bus to Rovaniemi airport
✔ Activities: Wild skating in Kuopio OR snowshoeing in Paltamo, Entrance to the snow gallery and park as well as evening camp in Kemi, wilderness skiing 2h in Pyhä, optional activity 2-2.5h in Pyhä (or downhill skiing 1 day), husky safari 15km
Thermal underwear, long woollen socks (or sports socks with high wool percentage) and a beanie. In spring winter also sunglasses necessary.